Tony D'Onofrio
If you really look closely, most overnight successes took a long time.” – Steve Jobs
Continuing our global tour to learn something new, our next stop is Hilton Head, South Carolina.
In August of 1663, English Captain William Hilton spotted the island and named it after himself, calling it ‘Hilton Head.’. The word ‘Head’ refers to the headlands visible while sailing the unchartered waters.
Hilton Head is less than 5 miles wide and 12 miles long, but the island has more than 50 miles of bicycles trails. Fewer than 40,000 people are year-round residents of Hilton Head, but 2.5 million others visit every year.
The red and white striped lighthouse in Harbour Town is not a real working lighthouse. It was built as a tourist attraction.
Hilton Head is a golfers’ paradise. More than a million rounds of golf are played on its over 40 courses every year.
Now about the opening picture. At the invitation of the Loss Prevention Magazine, I had the pleasure of delivering my “Disruptive Future of Retail” continuously updated presentation to a large audience in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Greatly enjoyed the friendships reinvigorated during the event. With my lovely wife, met many other significant others and established memories that we will still speak about today.
Revisiting this picture was a reminder that I am thoroughly enjoying the ‘continuous learning’ journey that has shaped my career. Success is a destination built on lots of long nights, exploring innovative ideas, and meeting the challenge of learning something new every single day. It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish that makes all the difference.
Sponsored Content
Top 3 Weekly Essentials
Harvard Business Review
Chain Store Age
It is a Small World
“Every gift is a little piece of Santa.” – LovetoKnow.com
Continuing our journey to learn something new, in the spirit of the holiday season, we travel to Cologne Germany for fun facts about Santa Claus. His real name is Saint Nicholas, a bishop in the 4th century who lived in what is now Turkey. Saint Nicholas was known for his generosity and kindness, and legends say he performed miracles for the poor and unhappy.
The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch nickname Sinter Klaas, which is short for Sint Nikolaas, the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas. The Dutch brought the name to America in the 17th century, where it was anglicized to Santa Claus.
No, Coca Cola did not invent the image of Santa Claus. The modern image of Santa Claus is largely due to the work of German-born artist Tom Nast. Nast's cartoon of Santa Claus arriving at a Union Army camp by sleigh during the Civil War helped establish the modern image of Santa.
If you write to Santa in the United States, all letters to Santa Claus, Indiana. Closer to the North Pole, there is an even more popular Santa Claus village in Finland which since 1985 has received over 18 million letters from 199 countries. You can mail your Santa Claus letters to:
Santa Claus’ Main Post office
Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi
Tähtikuja 1
96930 Arctic Circle
Finland
This picture which was taken at the Christmas Market in Cologne Germany is a reminder of why this is my favorite time of the year. The colors, the lights, the smiles, the anticipation in the eyes of every child, the musical tidings, family gatherings, the end of another year, and the possibilities of the new year.
If you immerse yourself in the positive messages of the holiday season, HOPE for a brighter tomorrow naturally emerges, and that my friends and family, is the true spirit of the holiday season. You see every gift is indeed a little bit of Santa.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Categories
Brilliant Research
European Non-Grocery Retail: Transition and Transformation
After an unpredictable several years, non-grocery retailers in Europe are seeking to uncover pockets of growth. To succeed, they will need to navigate differences across markets and retail categories. - From McKinsey Read more
Smart Infographic
Gen Z to Lead the Shopping Charge this Holiday Season
Insightful Videos
Why EV Leases Are So Cheap Right Now In The U.S. -CNBC
Automakers are offering steep discounts on electric vehicles, and especially on leases. In the first three months of 2024, less than a quarter of car buyers leased vehicles, but more than a third of EV buyers did. Read more
